I have tended to give up on watching these all the way through at past Olympics, but having been to the Olympic Opening Ceremony rehearsal tonight, I would recommend watching this on Friday evening if you are not doing anything else. In places, it is a bit silly and pretentious, but overall it is a more interesting spectacle than the usual array of mass dancing, flag waving and drumbeating - although I don't think I am "spoiling the surprise" in saying that there is plenty of these aspects too. It probably feels more spectacular when one is in the stadium, but it should make for a decent show on TV too.